View full sizeJoshua Gunter / The Plain DealerBrowns nose tackle Shaun Rogers missed the final five games of last season because of a leg injury. Now the Browns' best defensive player is accused of carrying a concealed weapon at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
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Updated at 11:38 p.m.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Nose tackle Shaun Rogers' career with the Browns is in jeopardy after he was arrested Thursday at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport for reportedly carrying a loaded handgun.

View full sizeAPShaun Rogers' mug shot from the Cleveland police.If convicted, Rogers, a three-time Pro Bowler and the Browns' best defensive player, faces a penalty of probation to five years in prison for carrying a concealed weapon, a third-degree felony in Ohio.

Rogers, who turned 31 on March 12, also could face discipline from the NFL under its strict personal conduct policy, which comes down especially hard on repeat offenders. Rogers was suspended for four games in 2006 for violating the steroid and related substances policy.

At the time of his 2006 suspension, Rogers told ESPN.com he was taking an appetite suppressant to curb late-night cravings he had from a sleeping disorder. He said the pills contained a banned form of ephedrine.

In an e-mail response regarding the arrest, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said, "We are aware of it, but have no further comment at this time."

The Browns also released the following statement from President Mike Holmgren: "We are aware of what transpired with Shaun Rogers. We will continue to gather additional information, and until the legal process has taken its course, we will reserve any further comment."

Rogers was in city jail Thursday night and was expected to be held until charges were filed.

In a release, police Chief Michael McGrath said Rogers was having his luggage inspected at the Concourse C checkpoint when he was found to have a loaded .45-caliber handgun in his carry-on bag. He was arrested without incident and booked downtown.

Police spokesman Sgt. Sammy Morris could not confirm reports that Rogers told police he forgot the gun was in his bag. Rogers, who lives in Houston during the off-season, had been in Cleveland participating in the Browns' off-season training program. His agent, Kennard McGuire, did not return an e-mail or voicemail seeking comment.

Former Giants receiver Plaxico Burress was sentenced to two years in prison in September for carrying a loaded, unlicensed firearm into a Manhattan nightclub. Burress accidentally shot himself in the thigh.

Rogers, who was acquired in a trade with Detroit in 2008, is signed through 2013 and was set to receive $23 million over the first three years of his deal, including $20 million guaranteed. A Pro Bowler in 2008, he sat out the last five games of 2009 with a broken leg.

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